Right mouse click contextual menu order incorrect

This is an issue I've had for a while now but I've managed to work around it most of the time. It's now got to the stage where it is a real problem and stopping me from solving another issue.

Machine. COmpaq 610
OS. Windows 7 prof

Problem
When I left mouse click on a link such as "open network and sharing" it brings up the command prompt window with the message "file can't be found". I can't right click on the links to use the 'open file command' which is a major problem.

If I'm on a normal folder, or maybe a link to open a link in the control panel, I get the same issue - double click gives me the command prompt window with an error message. Now I can use the right click to bring up the menu. COMMAND PROMPT is at the top of the menu and is bolded. Open is second.

I don't know how or when 'open' got moved down, but it's a real pain in the @&£?. Is there any way to move the open command back to the top of the right click menu so it is the default action for a single or double click with the left mouse button.

Important - I can't download anything to help me with this problem. My wireless access points have suddenly disappeared and I need the open command to get to places I can't currently get to without sorting this issue first.

I had read some older posts relating to adjusting commands in shell but they weren't quite right. If you can help, that would be really cool. Thanks. Nick